Arizona Faces Historic Flooding as Emergency Measures Are Enacted
In response to unprecedented flooding across Arizona, Gov. Katie Hobbs has issued a statewide emergency declaration, releasing $200,000 in state emergency funds to bolster local flood response and recovery efforts. This decision comes after three days of continuous heavy rainfall that began on October 30, leading to severe flooding in rivers and washes throughout the state.
Significant areas such as Apache, Gila, and Yavapai counties, along with the cities of Camp Verde, Prescott, and Sedona, have declared their own emergencies due to the severe weather conditions. The situation in Sedona has been particularly dire, prompting mass evacuations as Oak Creek Canyon overflowed. Other areas, including Winslow, Cottonwood, and Camp Verde, are also under evacuation orders.
Arizona’s Department of Public Safety has mobilized to assist with evacuation efforts and conduct swift water rescues as seven counties and five tribal nations have been affected by the storms. Flash flooding has forced the closure of several highways, including critical routes like State Route 87 near Winslow and State Route 89A between Sedona and Kachina Village.
The sheer volume of debris and need for traffic control has overwhelmed the Arizona Department of Transportation, necessitating additional support from the Federal Highway Administration. To coordinate the state’s response and recovery plan, Gov. Hobbs is channeling the emergency funds to the Arizona Division of Emergency Management.
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